Phono Introduces MWT Panels:  A Dotty Idea For Improving Efficiency

June 14, 2017 2017-06-23T15:42:52 by Leave a Comment
robin and a phono MWT solar panel

Phono Solar have only gone and drilled holes in their new solar panels…

If you want a solar cell to produce electricity then it’s important to let the sunshine in.  Specifically, into the solar cell.  Not letting the sunshine in is a bad idea.  Despite how very important this is, most solar cell manufacturers place a fine metal wire grid on top of their cells that blocks around 5% to 6% of sunlight falling on them, for no other reason than they don’t work without it.  It appears the metal grid is necessary to make electrical contacts required for current to flow. [Read more…]

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LG Introduces 20.8% Efficient LG NeON R Panel With 25 Year Replacement Warranty

May 25, 2017 2018-03-15T19:51:31 by 10 Comments
LG NeonR

LG’s NEoN-R panel is very good, very well warranted and very expensive.

LG Solar has introduced a new high efficiency solar panel they call the LG NeON R. [Read more…]

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An Apology To USG Solar Panels

April 28, 2017 2017-04-28T19:10:46 by 10 Comments
use panel and aliens guy

Whatever you do, never expose a USG Universal Solar Panel to light.

I would like to humbly apologize to USG solar panels, or to give them their full name, Universal Solar Group. [Read more…]

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REC Launches TwinPeak 2S 72 Series Solar Panels

April 26, 2017 2017-04-28T16:28:15 by 10 Comments
REC TwinPeak 2S 72 Series solar modules

REC is half cut again – TwinPeak 2S 72 Series

Touted as the “highest power 72-cell multicrystalline solar panel in the world”, REC has announced the start of production of its TwinPeak 2S 72 Series modules.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General Solar & Storage News, Solar Panels

Don’t Buy Second Hand Solar For Your Home

April 13, 2017 2024-10-03T09:51:24 by 41 Comments
second hand solar shop

You’ll Pay A High Price For Second Hand Solar Equipment

“Psssssst!  Wanna buy some slightly used solar panels?  They fell off the back of a truck.  Or possibly off the back of a roof.  Maybe they even fell off the back of a roof of a truck.  We just don’t know.  But what I do know is they are tier one panels in great condition – they didn’t fall far – and they’re cheap, so if you are looking to install rooftop solar you’d be a fool not to buy them, right?”

Wrong. [Read more…]

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Scheme To Donate Solar To The Sydney Opera House Is A Boondoggle

April 6, 2017 2024-01-25T15:35:21 by 8 Comments
sydney opera house

Sydney Opera House In Sustainability Scam Shocker! Photo Credit: Finn

This morning the Australian Financial Review reported on how the Sydney Opera House and Energy Australia, and apparently even the CSIRO, are teaming up to create a solar energy trading scheme that, on the face of it, is completely useless.  But, once you think it through, it clearly makes the world a worse place. [Read more…]

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Tindo Solar, Australia’s Only Solar Panel Manufacturer, Bought By SA’s Cool or Cosy

March 23, 2017 2017-04-25T12:06:30 by 24 Comments
tindo solar

Tindo Solar is now owned by SA company ‘Cool or Cosy’.

Tindo Solar, Australia’s only manufacturer of Solar panels has been bought by South Australia’s insulation, solar installation, and energy efficiency company Cool or Cosy.

The deal was announced on… Well actually, it hasn’t been announced yet1.  But since I’m from Queensland, obviously I know Julian Assange, so you can trust me to know all the secrets. [Read more…]

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OneSolar Review. One Word: Avoid

March 17, 2017 2024-01-25T20:54:13 by 34 Comments
one solar solar panels

OneSolar make a lot a lot of claims on their website that just don’t stack up.

When it comes to choosing solar panels and inverters, we recommend sticking to well known brands.

Over the years we’ve seen lots of obscure panel brands hit Australian shores, often with slick websites, and almost always with dubious claims of being ‘engineered’ in anywhere-but-China.

Our experience is that the quality of these mysterious brands is often poor, and if they fail a few years down the line it can be very hard to find the company that originally imported or manufactured them. [Read more…]

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An Apology To Australian Premium Solar

February 1, 2017 2024-10-04T06:29:05 by 15 Comments

Sorry can be the hardest word.

I am writing this article to apologize to Australian Premium Solar, also known as APS.

On the 20th of January this year I wrote an article entitled, “Australian Premium Solar Turn A 30 Year Warranty Into A One Year Warranty.”

In the article I did the following:

  • I described the APS warranty as “horrible”.
  • I said that unnecessary and expensive inspections are required to maintain the APS warranty.
  • I advised people not to use APS panels.

I of course apologize for none of that, as I still believe it all to be true. [Read more…]

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Australian Premium Solar Turn A 30 Year Warranty Into A One Year Warranty

January 20, 2017 2024-09-05T08:42:11 by 8 Comments
ASP Australian Premium Solar

Australian Premium Solar. Not made in Australia and not Premium. (Screenshot from now-deleted APS Youtube video: Caution-tape is mine)

Australian Premium Solar is a company that sells solar panels with a warranty that is truly exceptional and sets them apart from all other panels on the market. [Read more…]

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